Top pick Andrew Luck earns admiration of Dynamo

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear doesn’t usually pay attention to American football. Until this year he had never even considered watching the NFL draft, but on Thursday night he even recorded the draft on strict orders from his wife Colleen as the family’s good friend was picked No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

This year’s draft was important and special to many Dynamo players and coaches as former team president Oliver Luck’s son, Andrew, was the first pick. Before he starred at Stanford, the younger Luck built friendships with Kinnear and the players by routinely coming to practices in the summers.

“I think all the guys are really happy and proud of him,” Kinnear said of Andrew Luck. “I know the coaching staff is. He’s a normal kid who’s just an incredible football player, and we wish him all the best.”

Staying in touch

Oliver Luck resigned as president of the Dynamo last June, but Andrew’s interest in the club has continued. In February, he spent a couple of days visiting the team at preseason camp and watching it play two exhibitions at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Then in March, he was on the field for the Dynamo’s victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

“His family obviously played a big role in being a part of the Dynamo with his dad,” defender Bobby Boswell said. “They’re a great group of people. They always came out to games and practices.

“From the time I knew Andrew, he was always coming out to practice when he had a chance. He’s just a humble, nice guy. To see anyone that supports you succeed, and now to support him, it’s going to be awesome to see what happens with his professional career.”

Successful stint

Oliver Luck was the Dynamo president from the day they moved from San Jose in December 2005 until he left to become the athletic director at West Virginia, his alma mater.

Under his leadership, the Dynamo won two MLS Cups, and Andrew Luck was often around the team before he graduated from Stratford High School and left for Stanford. Moreover, Dom and Colleen Kinnear got to know the Luck family quite well in the years they worked together with the Dynamo.

“They’re a very nice family,” Kinnear said of the Lucks. “I enjoyed being around Oliver in a professional setting and even more so in a social setting with him and his family. As far as Andrew, I don’t think I’ll get to meet or be around a guy who is the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft ever again.

“If I am, I’ll be considered lucky. I don’t know any football players. But if there’s somebody who deserves all the positive attention he’s getting – from watching the games – I think he’s a guy who deserves it.”

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Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

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In just his third NFL season, Andrew Luck is already one of the league's top quarterbacks. The son of former Oilers signal-caller Oliver Luck, Andrew spent some of his formative years in Houston. Here's a look at his time as a youngster (courtesy of some family photos), his days as a star quarterback at Stratford High School, his college years as a Heisman contender at Stanford and his first few seasons as a starter in the pros. less

In just his third NFL season, Andrew Luck is already one of the league's top quarterbacks. The son of former Oilers signal-caller Oliver Luck, Andrew spent some of his formative years in Houston. Here's a look ... more

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

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Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Andrew and his father, Oliver.

Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Photo: Courtesy of Luck family

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Former Stratford High and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the Thursday's first round of the NFL draft. The Luck family provided the Houston Chronicle some photos from Andrew's childhood. And there are many images from throughout Luck's rise to stardom as well. less

Former Stratford High and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the Thursday's first round of the NFL draft. The Luck family provided the Houston ... more

Andrew Luck has come a long way since his days as quarterback at Stratford High School.

Andrew Luck has come a long way since his days as quarterback at Stratford High School.

Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher / For The Chronicle

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Stratford High School quarterback Andrew Luck talks about moving to California to attend Stanford, where he got a scholarship to play football Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in Houston . ( Nick de la Torre / Chronicle ) less

Stratford High School quarterback Andrew Luck talks about moving to California to attend Stanford, where he got a scholarship to play football Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in Houston . ( Nick de la Torre / ... more

Andrew Luck, quarterback for Stratford High School looks to pass the ball during a playoff game against Cypress Falls at Reliant Stadium Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006.
(Johnny Hanson for the Houston Chronicle)
(Oliver Luck 713-419-9451) less

Andrew Luck, quarterback for Stratford High School looks to pass the ball during a playoff game against Cypress Falls at Reliant Stadium Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006.
(Johnny Hanson for the Houston ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / For the Chronicle

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Stratford's #12, Andrew Luck looks to throw the ball in the first half during the Stratford High School vs. Cy-Fair High School football game at Tully Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle) less

Stratford's #12, Andrew Luck looks to throw the ball in the first half during the Stratford High School vs. Cy-Fair High School football game at Tully Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. ( Karen Warren / ... more

#12 Andrew Luck of Stratford throws a long pass over the head of Cy-Fair's #59 Austin Wozniak at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

#12 Andrew Luck of Stratford throws a long pass over the head of Cy-Fair's #59 Austin Wozniak at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

Photo: Matthew White / For the Chronicle

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Ex-Houston Oiler backup quarterback Oliver Luck, with his son, Andrew Luck, quarterback for Stratford High School before a playoff game against Cypress Falls at Reliant Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006.
(Johnny Hanson for the Houston Chronicle)
(Oliver Luck 713-419-9451) less

Ex-Houston Oiler backup quarterback Oliver Luck, with his son, Andrew Luck, quarterback for Stratford High School before a playoff game against Cypress Falls at Reliant Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 25, ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / For the Chronicle

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#12 Andrew Luck of Stratford throws a pass as Cy-Fair's #22 Peter Hand closes in fast at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

#12 Andrew Luck of Stratford throws a pass as Cy-Fair's #22 Peter Hand closes in fast at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

Photo: Matthew White / For the Chronicle

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Stratford's #12 Andrew Luck fights to break free from the grasp of Cy-Fair's #77 Craig Drouillard at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

Stratford's #12 Andrew Luck fights to break free from the grasp of Cy-Fair's #77 Craig Drouillard at the Stratford VS Cy-Fair football game at Berry Center on Saturday night

Photo: Matthew White / For the Chronicle

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Andrew Luck is Stratford's quarter back, here he is practicing punting.
Stratford High School is practicing for next years football season.

Andrew Luck is Stratford's quarter back, here he is practicing punting.
Stratford High School is practicing for next years football season.

Photo: Kenzie delaTorre / For the Chronicle

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Stratford's #12, quarterback Andrew Luck passes to a teammate in their game against Cy Falls at Reliant Stadium.
The Cy Fair Eagles played the Stratford Spartans at Reliant park in a round two football playoff game. Cy Falls won 34-33.
Eddy Matchette photo. less

Stratford's #12, quarterback Andrew Luck passes to a teammate in their game against Cy Falls at Reliant Stadium.
The Cy Fair Eagles played the Stratford Spartans at Reliant park in a round two football ... more

Photo: Eddy Matchette / For the Chronicle

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Stratford High School quarterback Andrew Luck fires off a pass during their scrimmage against the Cinco Ranch Cougars on Friday night at Cinco Ranch.

Stratford High School quarterback Andrew Luck fires off a pass during their scrimmage against the Cinco Ranch Cougars on Friday night at Cinco Ranch.

Photo: Diana L. Porter / For the Chronicle

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(Left to right) Andrew Luck, Stratford Quarterback, smiles as he is congratulated by his mother Kathy Luck during an interview after winning The High School Scholar-Athlete of the year at the JW Marriott where The Touchdown Club of Houston honored the top starters on area high school football teams with the highest GPAs by giving away more than $15,000 in scholarships on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 in Houston, TX. Guest speaker is Rufus Cormier, a scholar-athlete from SMU and a Houston lawyer. Photo by Mayra Beltran / Chronicle less

(Left to right) Andrew Luck, Stratford Quarterback, smiles as he is congratulated by his mother Kathy Luck during an interview after winning The High School Scholar-Athlete of the year at the JW Marriott where ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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(For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, December 5, 2007)Linebacker Will Ebner, of Friendswood, from left, QB Andrew Luck of Stratford, and Angleton running back D.J. Monroe, before the C.E.P. Sorbents High School Awards Dinner at the J.W. Marriott at 5150 Westheimer. Ebner is a finalist for the defensive award. Luck and Monroe are offensive finalists. less

(For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, December 5, 2007)Linebacker Will Ebner, of Friendswood, from left, QB Andrew Luck of Stratford, and Angleton running back D.J. Monroe, before the C.E.P. Sorbents High School ... more

Photo: Gary Fountain / For the Chronicle

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FOR SPORTS - West's Andrew Luck looks to pass against the East during second half action of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 at the Alamodome. The East won 33-23. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/STAFF) less

FOR SPORTS - West's Andrew Luck looks to pass against the East during second half action of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 at the Alamodome. The East won 33-23. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ... more

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS / San Antonio Express-News

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Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (12) smiles as Stanford scored against Wake Forest in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Stanford won 68-24. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) less

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (12) smiles as Stanford scored against Wake Forest in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Stanford won 68-24. (AP ... more

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up before their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Luck less

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up before their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. ... more

Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

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STANFORD, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Stanford Stadium on November 12, 2011 in Stanford, ... more

Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty

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FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2010, file photo, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck looks to pass during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif. Luck is among the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File) less

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2010, file photo, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck looks to pass during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif. Luck is among the four finalists for the ... more

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Photo: Paul Sakuma / AP

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Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after the game with the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Stanford won 56-48 in three overtimes. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) less

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after the game with the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 29, 2011 in Los ... more

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty

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Auburn's Cam Newton, right, poses with the Davey O'Brien Award, after winning the award given to the best quarterback, as Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck leaves the stage at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. Newton also won the Maxwell Award, presented to the best all-around player. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) less

Auburn's Cam Newton, right, poses with the Davey O'Brien Award, after winning the award given to the best quarterback, as Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck leaves the stage at the Home Depot ESPNU College ... more

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, left, is congratulated by Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. Newton won the Davey O'Brien Award, for best quarterback, and the Maxwell Award, for best all-around player. Luck was a finalist for both awards. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) less

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, left, is congratulated by Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. Newton won the Davey ... more

The four Heisman Trophy finalists, Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, left, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, second from left, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, second from right and Oregon running back LaMichael James, pose for a photo with the Heisman Trophy during a news conference on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Andrew Burton) less

The four Heisman Trophy finalists, Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, left, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, second from left, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, second from right and Oregon running back ... more

Photo: Andrew Burton / AP

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In this photo provided by the Heisman Trophy Trust, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, second from right, is congratulated by Oregon's LaMichael James right, as Newton is announced the winner of the Heisman Trophy award, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, in New York, looking on are Stanford's Andrew Luck, far left, and Boise State's Kellen Moore. Newton, the third player from Auburn to win the Heisman, received 729 first-place votes and outpointed runner-up Luck by 1,184 points. (AP Photo/Heisman Trophy Trust, Kelly Kline) ** NO SALES ** less

In this photo provided by the Heisman Trophy Trust, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, second from right, is congratulated by Oregon's LaMichael James right, as Newton is announced the winner of the Heisman Trophy ... more

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Andrew Luck is joined on the red carpet by Robert Griffin III

Andrew Luck is joined on the red carpet by Robert Griffin III

Photo: Al Bello / Getty

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Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck during Stanford football Pro Day on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, March 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck during Stanford football Pro Day on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, March 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)